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Pulse Racing
Ultima
Detailed race analysis for The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
* note all data is from 2016 unless otherwise stated.
RACE SUMMARY
irst run in 1946, the Ultima Handicap Chase is one of the Cheltenham Festival’s longest-established handicap chases.
Originally known as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, it is now the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase.
Run on the Old Course over 3 miles and 1 furlong with 20 fences, it is a Premier Handicap for horses aged five and older.
On the opening day it’s a highly competitive handicap and a test of stamina and jumping
WINNING PROFILE
AVERAGE AGE
8.2
144
AVERAGE OFFICIAL RATING
AVERAGE CHASE RUNS PRIOR
7.9
PATH TO CHELTENHAM
The following races have produced the most Ultima Handicap Chase winners since 2016:
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(4) Hennessy Gold Cup / Ladbrokes Trophy / Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Newbury, November)
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(2) Classic Handicap Chase (McCoy Contractors / Agetur) (Warwick, January)
Number of horses that ran in these races and went on to win at Cheltenham that season in brackets.
TRAINER WINS
TRAINER S/R
WINS BY AGE
PULSE STOPPER
This is one of the few races dominated by the British with Irish trained horses 0/40 | 0%
Although there have been three 9-year-old winners, horses aged 10 and over are 1/74 | 1.4%
Horses priced at 20/1 or over are 1/130 | 0.8%
PULSE INSIGHT
This has been a stronghold for the British staying-handicappers and not one Irish Graded horses drop into. Since 2016 all 11 winners were GB-trained (11/201 | 5.5%) with the places also dominated at GB 28, IRE 5.
Lucinda Russell is 3/6 | 50%, with her northern-prepared staying chasers (Corach Rambler twice and Myretown). Next yard cluster is David Pipe 2/8 | 25% via Un Temps Pour Tout who also won twice.
Nine of the last eleven winners had some form of aid though 60% of runners since 2016 wore some form of aid.
Only one of the last seven winners was successful on the final prep race.
PULSE EDGE
PULSE SUMMARY
Team GB Dominate
British staying handicappers have dominated winning the last 11 renewals with Irish-trained 0/40. Age peaks at 8–9 with those older at 1/74 | 1.4%;
There have been two repeat winners, both in successive years, in Un Temps Pour Tout and Corach Rambler
PULSE VERDICT
Pulse Rate
Of the last 11 winners, nine wore some form of aid 9/11 | 81.8%
Pulse Stopper
Horses 10 or over are 1/74 | 1.4%
Horses 20/1 and over are 1/130 | 0.8%
Pulse Insight
GB Trainers dominate with all 11 winners and a total of 28/33 places
Pulse Edge
For the last seven renewals, Horses not winning final prep are 6/7 | 85.7%
ALL DATA FROM 2016 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
LAST UPDATED SEPT 2026